Residents and councillors are not convinced all options were covered in the 'necessary' killing of a much-loved Walrus who visited the UK.

Prudhoe Cllr Gordon Stewart said he was saddened to hear that The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries has euthanised a Walrus, affectionately called Freya, on Sunday, August 14.

Freya often visited the UK, including Seahouses, north of Sunderland, so when the news reached the UK that Freya had been killed - Cllr Stewart wanted answers.

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He said: "A large number of Northumberland residents and visitors, as well as many other people around the country, took an instant liking of Freya.

"Several residents have already expressed horror at the pointless killing.

"I have taken up this with the Norwegian ambassador to the UK asking for a full explanation."

A short while after asking, the ambassador sent Cllr Stewart an explanation that gave different reasons for the killing in an article published by the Directorate of Fisheries - who killed Freya.

It claimed that Freya was a 'continued threat' to human safety and the walrus seemed 'stressed' by the massive attention.

According to the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, they also claimed 'there were no other options.

Reflecting on what was said in the response from the ambassador, Cllr Stewart adds: "Many residents and I are concerned that the authorities in Norway had not explored or exhausted.

"I realise that people would have been inquisitive when Freya landed on shore, but that could have been managed."